Unlocking secrets of babies' brains

Birkbeck Babylab

Researchers at London's Birkbeck Babylab, which is part of Birkbeck, University of London, study brain and cognitive development in infants from birth through childhood.

In this photo, Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, in London, England, March 3, 2014.

The experiment uses an electroencephalogram (EEG) to study brain activity while the baby examines different objects of varying complexity.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

The scientists use various experiments, often based on simple games, to test the babies' physical or cognitive responses with sensors including: eye-tracking, brain activation and motion capture.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, wears motion capture and surface electromyography (EMG) sensors as he takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Geodesic Sensor Nets used for electroencephalogram (EEG) experiments at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Research assistant Katarina Begus, prepares a Geodesic Sensor Net for an electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, wears a Geodesic Sensor Net as he prepares to take part in an experiment, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

The experiment studies "goals of actions" by using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which uses light to study oxygen levels in the brain, while the baby watches a screen showing objects moving on differing paths.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, wears a Geodesic Sensor Net as he prepares to take part in an experiment, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Research assistant Katarina Begus, monitors from behind a screen as Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment , March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, is photographed after taking part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, wears motion capture and surface electromyography (EMG) sensors as he takes part in an experiment , March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Research assistant Katarina Begus, prepares a Geodesic Sensor Netvfor an electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, wears a Geodesic Sensor Net as he prepares to take part in an experiment, March 3, 2014.

Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Birkbeck Babylab

Leo, 9 months, takes part in an experiment at the Birkbeck Babylab, March 3, 2014.